Brass replaces worn bricks at Peace Memorial Park

The worn memorial bricks at Peace Memorial Park have been replaced with brass plaques.

After less than a decade in the ground next to the iconic portico at the East 36th Street park, the engraving on many of the bricks had nearly vanished.

Keven Ellis of the North Wall Riders Association said the group asked the city to do something about the bricks after seeing Pte. Mark Anthony Graham’s name had nearly faded away on the brick his family had purchased.

“It was so worn, I told (Graham’s family) we’d get it replaced,” said Ellis. “I went to the city and asked them to do something about it.”

The North Wall Riders Association is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who support military veterans and have taken Peace Memorial Park under its wing.

Peace Memorial School served the community from 1919 until 2002. The City of Hamilton bought the property and developed a park around the old school’s portico.

The park was dedicated in 2008. At the time, memorial bricks engraved with the names of loved ones — including veterans and former students — were purchased for $75 each and laid in the ground near the portico.

About 140 plaques are installed on the concrete wall that lines the “memorial walkway.”

They were unveiled during a rededication service Saturday.

Fayne Downie of the city’s parks department said there is “lots of room for expansion” in the configuration to accommodate future plaques.

The original memorial bricks are being returned to family members.

Arrangements can be made by calling 905-546-2424 ext. 1079.